The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1887-06-04

makes the occasion Of general interest to an
intelligent a~udiencej dlgniies the RpniyeF-
saFy, and WhilSrit saves tho audience from
the crude and often painful oratoFical at
tempts ofyouths, II relieves the members OF
tho class from the nervous worry and tedious
preparation for an effort which destroys the
solid comfort Of the last days Of college life,
The Collegiate sorpsts Of the University Of
Michigan approves the plan Of q commence
ment address by o distinguished individual,
invited for the occasion. The influence OF
the address Is likely to DO permanent and
valuable alike 10 students, alumni and visit
ors,
Charles NJ. Gayley, assistant professor OF
Latin in the University Of Michigan-Thlnks
the method adopted by the University Of
Michigan FORTS commenccments-haVipg an
address by q man Of scholarly e%minence-is
decidedly preferable 10 the old.time com,
mencement. 1t Is more instructive and more
dlgniled, less trouble and more satisfactory
10 both students and professors. Above all,
II avoids that righteousness OF choosing q
few speakers from a large class, which Is en-
tirely non'democratlc and inconsistent with
the principles Of the university,
Professors Hudson, Adams and Rogers all
express q decided preference for the cons
mencement address by eminent men rather
than the speeches from members ofthe class,
In faCt, there is q remarkable unanimity Of
opinion on the subject here, professors and
students believing the plan pursued at the
University Of Michigan In regard To COM
menccment exercises Is beyond comparison
superior TO the usual custom Of colleges in
this particular.
The University Of Michigan i~naugurated
the new plan for It's commencements In 1875,
Hon. g. V, n. Lathror, then the leading
lawyer Of Michigan, and at present United
States minister to Russia, was invited to give
the commencement address that year, and
his scholarly address has been followed each
year since then by equally able one Of men
eminent In various fields Of learning aldof
action.
Mr. F. @. Hicks, class Of 80, University
Of Michigan, and now principal Of the La
Porte Ind High School, thinks tho single
commencement address decidedly the most
desirable form-less trouble for the seniors,
who would otherwise, II elected as COM
mencement speakers, have to spend the last
weeks Of the Collegoyear practicingtheir ora
tions in tho woods; more attractive also
for visitors, as well rs forthemembers Of the
college. The method Is being adopted in the
high schools Of Michigan.
The wife Of Professor Bragdon, Of Auburn-
dale (Lascll Seminary writes In his absence:
"our girls read no essayU ut commence.
mentS, and do not dress, l Think, IN the bad,
competitive sense Of that term. Their dress
Is often white, because IL Is summer, but its
not uniformly or necessarily so; and II Is al
ways simple, frequently oftheir own cutting
and making. Our commencement Is really
only a social gathering of parents and pupils,
with q chapel meeting for some last words
Of good counsel from those qualified to
giyeit, and make II memorable"
The work for the works sake, the true
basis of all good work, is tho principle
which the best teachers arc trying to In
c%ulcate, and the best pupils recognize, as
containing tho highest stimulus-tlat
which lays tho foundation for a future
most useful and honorable. There arc
plenty Of roads to petty public distinc.
tions, plenty Of temptation to the sacrl-
fec Of tho genuine good to tho spirit Of
ambition and display. But tho teacher
should, as far as possible, stimulate and
preserve integrity and the true spirit Of
emulation in tho young and plastic
minds Of pupils, for their personal In
fiuence In this direction Is one Of the
most potential forces in the formation Of
material for tho building up Of the future,
JENNY JUNE.